Slingbox debuts in India

Sling Media, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, today announced the launch of its Emmy award winning Slingbox® in India.
The consumer electronics products company has unveiled a range of video placeshifting products - Slingbox 120, Slingbox PRO-HD, SlingPlayer® and SlingLink®, that change and enhance the way consumers watch television.

A Slingbox makes it simple to watch and control live TV content from a cable box, satellite receiver, DVR or video camera on any remote device such as a mobile phone, PC, laptop or tablet located anywhere in the world via a broadband Internet connection.

"The Slingbox is a pioneer product in placeshifting technology and marks a milestone for television viewing in India," said Sling Media managing director Raghu Tarra. "With Slingbox, consumers can now catch their favourite cricket match, show or movie from anywhere in the world. With a huge mobile and TV subscriber base, we see India as an attractive market for us."
The manufacturer's retail price (MRP) for the basic version of Slingbox known as Slingbox 120 that streams standard-definition (SD) content is Rs.7,999 and MRP for the Slingbox PRO-HD is Rs.14,999 for a high-definition viewing experience. In addition, Sling Media is also offering SlingLink, which simplifies the home Internet network connection and provides fast, smooth video playback at an MRP of Rs 4,999.

Just in time for IPL Cricket, these introductory prices are offered while supplies last.

Consumers can watch their television content on their smartphones by downloading SlingPlayer Mobile software, giving them complete control over their living room television and is priced in various mobile application marketplaces at the equivalent of $29.99 USD.

The Sling Media line of products is distributed direct to consumers in over 5,000 retail stores in 20 countries, and to several television service providers in North America, Europe and Asia. First introduced in June 2005 in US, Slingbox® has won a number of accolades over the years, including International CES Innovation Awards, CTIA Wireless Emerging Technologies, American Industrial Designers Society Gold and
Best in Show, as well as a Technology & Engineering Emmy®.

Sling Media Inc. founder and CTO Bhupen Shah added, "We are very happy and excited to have brought our breakthrough products to the consumer electronics marketplace in India. Now anyone with a Broadband Internet connection can enjoy viewing their television on a laptop, smartphone or tablet device."

India is already the second largest mobile market in the world, forecasting 400 million 3G subscribers by 2015. Mobile video usage has exploded and according to Nielsen, India ranks as the fourth largest consumer of mobile video in the world. There has been a widespread adoption of broadband as it becomes more affordable for the average consumer.

India has risen into the top 10 countries in the world for broadband connectivity and the number of broadband customers is growing at 25 per cent annually. The advent of these technologies will also drive substantial interest in the home entertainment sector.

Slingbox will be initially available in large format retailers such as Croma, Reliance Digital, and the online store Flipkart.com across Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and NCR.

The company also has plans to further expand its operations to the cities of Ahmedabad, Pune and Chennai.